Smoker liner means



July 7, 1936. J. M. DENNEY 2,046,773

SMOKERLINER MEANS Filed Deka. '12, 1931 sa sa,

i l. INVENToR '(IIIIIn-- JOHBry M. DNEY -4-/5 /4 AoRNE Patented July 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT crise 3 Claims.

This invention relates to liners for stems of tobacco pipes, cigarette holders, and similar smoking implements. f

An object of the invention is to provide a loose-rolled liner which may be made of paper or like suitable material, and whichA may be rolled to shape and formed by a minimum of simple manufacturing operations.

Another object is to provide such a liner which has the characteristics of remaining in a fixed form when not in use, and which willk nevertheless expand automatically to iit bores of different diameters when positioned for use within the stem of the smoking implement, and which can also be adjusted tof bores smaller in diameter than that of the liner in its relatively fixed form.

A further objectis to provide such a liner with a crimp at one of its ends to hold the spiral rolls of its shell in iixed position when the liner is not in use; and having also perforations at intervals along the longitudinal length of the liner so that the liner may be broken off or separated conveniently at any perforation in order to facilitate adapting it to bores of smoking implement stems of different lengths.

A further object is to provide such'a. liner so flexible in structure as to permit of its use with stems having sharply curved formations and different bore cross-sections; that is, to adapt the liner to be easily inserted into and extracted from a stem bore which is longitudinally curved in formation, and in such manner that the liner will automatically become adjusted to form a draft seal between the shell of the liner and the bore walls of the stem to force the draft from the pipe bowl, for instance, to pass through the longitudinal center opening in the liner.

A still further object is to provide a. liner which may be removed easily from the bore of the smoking implement in a direction away from the mouth of the smoker and toward the innerer bowl end of the smoking implement, if a pipe, so that the more saturated end of the liner will not pass through the end of the'bore that enters the mouth of the smoker.

A still further object is to provide a simple and eiective means for removing a liner of this type from a stem.

Finally, an object is toV provide a simple and eiiective method and apparatus for forming and constructing such a liner in order to economically manufacture it in quantities at extremely low cost, and thus to keep the selling price of the liners down to a minimum.

All these and other objects as suggested herebelow are attained by the `methods and means now to be described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in whichz- Figure 1 is a plan view of a paper blank, shaped for the hand process, and showing the starting point thereof at 20.

Fig. 2 is a similar View of a paper blank, shaped for ythe machine process, and showing its starting point at 2l. t

*Fig 3 is a side elevational view of a preferred type of core used in the hand process, and showing a liner partly rolled thereon. Fig. 4 is a side elevational View of a preferred type `of core used in the machine process, and showing a liner rolled thereon. This core differs from that of Fig. 3 used in the hand process in that it is provided with a clip 22, -ior picking up the end of the paper when the process of rolling is begun. Other differences are that the core of Fig. 4 is provided with a clutch-holding end 23, by which it is operated from the machine, whereas the liner core of Fig. 3 is provided with a hand operated end 24, to make it more adaptable for use by hand.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the clip 22 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows the complete liner, it having been cut oi at 25, crimped at 26, and perforated at 21-21.

Fig. 7 shows a paper blank from which a ta'- pered liner may be rolled. It will of course be understood that variously shaped liners may be produced by shaping the paper blank in different forms. Y

Fig. 8 shows a step in the hand process of forming a tapered liner from the blank of Fig. 'I.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of Fig. 7,'showing at 23 the starting end of the blank for the tapered liner when said blank is to be used in the machine process.

Fig. 10 shows one of the liners of this invention in position in a cigar or cigarette holder, ready for smoking. The liner 29 is half the length of that shown in Fig. 6. Thus the portion of the liner of Fig. 6 to the right as viewed in the drawing may be put into the holder of Fig. l0 and broken oii at one of its perforations and the remaining part used again. In this manner'the crimped end portion 26 remains to hold the balance of the liner in shape until used.

Fig. 1l shows a one-piece pipe stem 30 with a tapered liner 3l being inserted therein. Note that this liner is somewhat smaller than the bore of the pipe stem, since the crimped end has not yet been broken away at a perforation; when it is so broken away, liner 3| expands to fit the bore along a small portion thereof at the outer or mouth end, the liner having sucient rigidity so that it will not expand to the bore throughout its length. This tends toward easy removal of the liner.

Fig. 12 is a crooked-stem pipe of popular type, showing the stem sections disconnected and a liner properly installed in the outer stem. Removing the liner is no problem with this type of stem, since it may be grasped with the fingers after the stem sections have been separated as shown, and then pulled away from the mouth end in the proper direction.

Fig. 13 is a popular type of corn cob pipe, showing the liner inserted in the stem, which is in two sections screwed together, and which can be removed as in Fig. 12. The liner is shown slightly smaller than the bore since the crimped end has not yet been broken off, and the liner therefore not yet expanded.

It will be understood, of course, that by rolling a liner between ones fingers, it may be either reduced or expanded in diameter, even before the crimp is broken away. This feature facilitates adjustment of the liners to various bores of stems.

Fig. 14 is a popular type of pipe having an obstruction 32 in the bore at the inner end of the outer stem 33. In a pipe of this kind, the obstruction may be removed entirely to make room for the liner, or the outer stem may be fitted with a liner between the obstruction and the outer end, as desired. Attention is invited here to the fact that in this invention, the outer portion of the stem is protected, and properly so, since that is closest to the mouth of the smoker. 'I'hese liners, by being adapted to be extended to the full outer or mouth end of the stem, give the most complete protection possible, since they do not allow any surface or reservoir for the accumulation of the nicotine and other objectionable ingredients. Y

Fig. 15 is an instrument for removing a liner from a one-piece pipe stem, cigar holder or the like. To remove a liner by pulling upon it, the spear end 34 is inserted in the liner; and to push the liner out of the bore, the angle end 35 is inserted Well into the liner within a bore, and then by using a little side strain on the instrument, the point of the angle is made to bite into the liner to accomplish removal. Of course, the liners should always be removed in a direction from the mouth of a smoker toward the bowl or outer end of the stem; and the proper application of this instrument will accomplish the desired results Without telescoping of the liner in the stem. Usually, however, no such instrument is necessary.

Fig. 16 represents a device or machine for rolling the liners into form automatically and at a high rate of speed as when preparing them in quantities for sale already made up.

This consists essentially of a stationary mounting or pedestal 36 fitted with a plain bearing 31. Revolvably positioned within bearing 37 is a hollow journal or shaft 38 suitably keyed to and rotating with a power driven wheel or pulley 39. Wheel 39 is provided with a clutching surface 40, and there is a bearing 4| placed within the hollow shaft 38 and which acts as a bearing for the rotating or clutch shaft 42. Member 38 is provided with an abutment or collar at its outer or right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, to prevent the parts from shifting.

Mounted on the clutch shaft 42 are the various clutch elements, including a clutching member 43 having a clutching face similar to and immediately opposite the clutching face 40 of wheel 3S. Member 43 is keyed to shaft 42 by means of a set screw 44, and has a bore extending longitudinally through its entire length. Into this bore at its forward end is secured the clutch shaft 42 and at its rear end is secured the shank 45 of the core 46, the set screw 4`| being used for this purpose. A bearing surface is formed between the forward end of the clutch shaft bearing 4|, and the thrust ring or washer 48. A bearing is also formed at 49 between the adjacent parts there.

It will be seen that the bearing surfaces at 4|, 48 and 49 are so placed as to permit the revolving clutch elements 42, 43, 45 and 46 to revolve free of the remaining elements 38, 39 and their attendant parts, when the clutch is out, or disengaged, as shown. It will also be apparent that the expansion spring 50 abuts at its rear ward end against the thrust bearing 48, which in turn is abutted by other parts, as shown, and that this Will exert pressure against the tail piece 5| to thrust it forwardly. This tail piece is threaded on to the clutch shaft 42, and hence a forward thrust of the tail piece will carry forwardly or to the right with it the shaft 42 and parts secured thereto, to close or engage the clutch. Upon this tail piece is threaded a nut and jamb-nut 52 with which to regulate the limit that the clutch element may travel rearwardly when the clutch is thrown out. Thus, when the nuts 52 have moved rearwardly 'until it comes in contact with the enlarged portion of member v38, the clutch cannot be farther opened. Upon the clutch shaft 42 at its forward end, threads are provided to receive the nut and jambnut 54, and also the tail piece 5|. By adjustment of these parts, the tension of clutch spring 50 may be regulated to cause the clutch to close with the desired force. Upon the core 46, there is a clip 53 secured with sufficient firmness to resist the operating pressure encountered in the process of rolling a liner.

'Ihe process of rolling a liner with this device is as follows:-

After'the device has been set in motion by means of power wheel 39, the operator places an end of a paper blank over the revolving core, and holds it in such a manner that about half the circumference of the core will be covered closely by the end of the blank; then he (or she) simply jabs the blank quickly against the clip 53 and holds the paper at this point closely between the fingers and the core, then rapidly follows the rolls of the liner as they form rearwardly under the revolving core. When the end of the core is reached, the operator holds the liner a moment longer to form the crimp. The liner is removed from the core by simply pulling it away. This motion opens the clutch for removal of the liner from the core. If necessary, one hand may be placed on the rear hub portion of the clutch, which is formed into a convenient knob 55 (as shown) for this purpose.

When the liner has been removed and the clutch liberated, the clutch is instantly closed by be secured to a bench or overhead, whichever is more convenient. The power wheel may be driven by belt, chain, cogs, friction or any ordinary transmission. Or by using a V-belt with two grooves on the pulley, they may be made to operate a number of similar devices in multiple.

While it is suggested that paper be used for this, some other absorbent material might be found even more advantageous, although so far, paper has been found quite satisfactory.

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention is not limited thereto. To those skilled in the art, many modifications of the invention will be readily apparent, and it will also be obvious to such skilled persons that part 0f the method and means may be used without other parts thereof, many such combinations of the parts readily suggesting themselves. Therefore, it should be, and is to be distinctly understood that for a definition of the limitations of the invention, reference must be had to the appended claims.

Having now described the invention, what is claimed as new and for which Letters Patent of the United States is desired, is:

l. As a new article of manufacture, a looserolled smoking implement liner consisting of a flat strip of absorbent material of uniform width spirally wound into a closed tube and adapted to fit within the entire bore of the smoking implement, and remain there during use.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a looserolled smoking implement liner consisting of a flat strip of absorbent material of uniform width spirally wound into a closed tube adapted to fit within the entire bore of the smoking implement and remain there during use, the liner being provided with a crimp at one end and held in shape by said crimped end, and being adapted to eX- pand automatically to the size of the bore by cutting off the said crimped end.

3. The combination with a smoking implement comprising a tobacco container and a hollow stem removably attached thereto and terminating in a mouth-piece, of a member inserted in the stem and adapted to retain foreign material passing along the stem from the container towards the mouthpiece, said member being formed of a strip of absorbent paper Wound in closed-tube and single-wall form and extending substantially from the container to the outer end of the mouthpiece, and being adapted to be withdrawn through the normally-connected end of the stem after same is dis-connected, said member being crimped on its end to retain said closed-tube form before insertion in the pipe stem and being adapted to expand within said stem to thereafter be held in said form by the stem wall.

JOHN M. DENNEY. 

